It sort of makes sense for a Grand Lodge. With the S&C the "right side up" orientation is how we last saw it as a candidate receiving our degrees. With the S&C the "upside down" orientation is how someone conferring a degree sees them. If deliberate it can mean "We confer degrees".

Some jurisdictions have a tradition of wearing the MM ring oriented like that. Put your hand out on a table in front of you. Orient the S&C the way you last had your hand on them. "Right side up" if you were a candidate. "Upside down" if you conferred the degree.

On the outside of a building it's a bit to obscure for me to be deliberate. I think someone didn't know what orientation was expected when they put it up.

Dear brother Ripcord, as Simon says (no pun intended) we can't answer this in the open. But, just by reading up on the Swedish Rite, and being well versed in standard masonic symbolism - you should be able to figure it out yourself. I did (at least in a simplified version)

Interesting stuff.. but I have no first hand knowledge of the inverted S&Q

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I grew up in New York. The United Order of Carpenters was (is) (?) a very large union there. I had a neighbor that was a member and displayed the inverted S&C on his car. I would see it at union jobs, my dad was a tradesman and I would go on jobs with him.

I grew up in New York. The United Order of Carpenters was (is) (?) a very large union there. I had a neighbor that was a member and displayed the inverted S&C on his car. I would see it at union jobs, my dad was a tradesman and I would go on jobs with him.

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I wonder if that represents an appropriation of a Masonic symbol or something to do with the Union having an association with the Swedish Rite ?
(not going to google, did that last night for another question and lost 3 hours.. but uncovered a great yarn )

I wonder if that represents an appropriation of a Masonic symbol or something to do with the Union having an association with the Swedish Rite ?
(not going to google, did that last night for another question and lost 3 hours.. but uncovered a great yarn )

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Its not related. The order of carpenters seems to be american and formed in 1880. The Swedish rite rituals goes back to swedish nobility around 1801.

Its not related. The order of carpenters seems to be american and formed in 1880. The Swedish rite rituals goes back to swedish nobility around 1801.

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Bro, the question respectfully still stands. For instance, I have a barber in this city who uses the scissors and combs in a Square and Compass shape. The reason for this appropriation is the Barber is Freemason. One might look to see if any of the Union Founders might have been from a Country where the Swiss Rite appears (and yes yes.. who has time for that LOL).

Bro, the question respectfully still stands. For instance, I have a barber in this city who uses the scissors and combs in a Square and Compass shape. The reason for this appropriation is the Barber is Freemason. One might look to see if any of the Union Founders might have been from a Country where the Swiss Rite appears (and yes yes.. who has time for that LOL).

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